Are you constantly going to the vet because your dog is shaking and scratching at his ears? Each time you get them cleaned of all that black gunk and buy more medication to put in the ear - only to do the same thing in about a month’s time? Your dog probably has a chronic yeast infection of the ear canal. If your dog was not diagnosed with ear mites, then here’s an old kennel trick that might help. ( NOTE * Always have the vet check your dog’s ears and make sure it’s not something serious! )

 First, clean the ear out real well with 1/2 apple cider vinegar and 1/2 water. You may have to use an ear syringe, or a water pik with soapy water, to flush out the ear, but normally a cotton swab will do. If you use soapy water, please rinse the ear well because soap can cause further itching. Cleaning the ear - thoroughly - is extremely important!!  If you are unable to clean the ear yourself, then take the dog to the vet and let them clean the ears.

Then fill the ear canal with boric acid powder. Put lots of the powder in and poke it down with your "pinky" as far as you can. At first, do it once a day. I've found that after an initial series of 3 days in a row, once a week thereafter is sufficient.

You can also put the boric acid powder into a squeeze bottle, cut the tip down to make a bigger hole and sort of "puff" the powder into the ears.  Either method works.  

(The above tip is courtesy of Ellen Kapen - I've used it and it works. )

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Alternatively,   I've discovered Micro-Tek Medicated Spray for horses. It's the same as the Micro-Tek shampoo, sans soap, so you don't have to rinse the ears. FIRST:  Clean the ear with the vinegar and water - thoroughly!!!. You can also mix up a soapy solution of Micro-Tek Shampoo to wash the ears, but you must rinse the ears of the soap. 

Once the ear is good and clean, all the recesses clean, then pour about 1/4 cup of the "spray" liquid into the ear and massage the ear for a MINIMUM of 1-2 minutes to keep the dog from shaking it's ears to get the liquid out. Repeat on the opposite ear.

I buy Micro-Tek Medicated Spray for Equines at http://www.kvvet.com

The Spray has the extra advantage of being soothing to the ears and helps to relieve the itching. You still must do this for 3 days in a row and faithfully once a week. If you've let your dog's ears "cauliflower" already, then having the vet clean them is your only solution. Do not let it get that far!